The best D-day film

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2006)

Some reviewers have commented on the comical aspects of the British segment. This is probably because they were directed by Ken Anakin who made many comedy films and maybe humour is a way of relieving the stress of combat. Ken Anakin went on to direct "Those Macnificent Men In Their Flying Machines" and "Battle of the Bulge" and it is interesting to notice that a lot of actors in "The Longest Day" went on to appear in those two films. Also Sean Connery's Irish accent was far better than the Edinburgh Irish dialect he used in "The Untouchables" !! The producers seemed to want to attract young cinema goers to the film by using teen idols like Paul Anka, Fabien and Tommy Sands, who would soon be swept away by the Beatles. Indeed one of the faults of war films in general is the use of middle aged actors to portray servicemen barely out of their teens. Richard Burton as an RAF flying officer is stretching things a bit. He may have been one for real in 1945, but by 1962 he was to old. But overall "The Longest Day" is the best D-day movie. "Saving Private Ryan" may have more realism, but it does not give the overall picture.